BRAC
Position Title: Finance Controller
Career with BRAC International
BRAC International is a leading non-profit organisation with a mission to empower people and communities in situations of poverty, illiteracy, disease, and social injustice. Founded in 1972, by Sir Fazle Hasan Abed, BRAC is the largest non-governmental development organisation in the world, and is present in 15 countries across Asia and Africa today. BRAC designs proven, scalable solutions that equip people with the support and confidence they need to achieve their potential. BRAC’s institutional expertise in various programmes, including health, agriculture, microfinance, education, and youth empowerment, is touching the lives of over 100 million people in the Global South.
BRAC International Holdings B.V. (BIHBV) was set up in 2010 as a private limited liability company under the laws of the Netherlands and is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Stichting BRAC International (SBI). BIHBV is a socially responsible for-profit organisation, engaging people in sustainable economic and income-generating activities. The core focus of BIHBV is to provide microfinance services to people, particularly women, living in poverty in rural and hard-to-reach areas to build their financial resilience and improve the quality of life for them and their families.
BRAC has been one of the pioneers of microfinance since it first started in 1974. BRAC first expanded its microfinance operations internationally in 2002 and now operates in six countries outside of Bangladesh - Myanmar, Tanzania, Uganda, Rwanda, Sierra Leone and Liberia. Together, these six entities serve more than 750,000 clients, 96% of whom are women.
BRAC International Microfinance’s mission is to provide a range of financial services responsibly to people at the bottom of the pyramid. It particularly focuses on women living in poverty in rural and hard-to-reach areas, to create self-employment opportunities, build financial resilience, and harness women’s entrepreneurial spirit by empowering them economically.
BRAC International Microfinance is seeking applications from competent, dynamic and self-motivated individuals to fill the following position:
Finance Controller, BRAC International Holdings B.V.
A key role, the Finance Controller, BRAC International Holdings B.V. (BIHBV), will work with a team of analysts alongside the Finance Director, BIHBV, and Investment Manager, BIHBV, to contribute to the overall success of BRAC International entity operations by managing the smooth running of the accounting, financial control, regulatory compliance, and reporting functions of the Dutch-based holding company, BIHBV, and holding level debt finance company (BRAC International Finance B.V. (BIFBV)). In undertaking this role, the Finance Controller will support, as needed, the Microfinance (MFI) entities in Uganda, Tanzania, Rwanda, Sierra Leone, Liberia, and Ghana.
Key Responsibilities:
Financial Reporting, Audit and Control
- Deliver timely and accurate monthly, quarterly, and annual financial statements and reports of BIHBV and, in conjunction with the Investment Manager, BIFBV to SBI, Investors, Lenders and other stakeholders as per reporting calendar.
- Completion of the annual audit for BIHBV – stand-alone and consolidated with the MFIs – and for BIFBV, liaising with the MFI boards about the findings and ensuring follow-up on any action items.
- Ensure compliance with relevant financial reporting standards and prepare group-wide models/guidelines for the application of standards when necessary.
- Alongside the Finance Director, responsible for producing the required financial materials for BIHBV and, in conjunction with the Investment Manager, BIFBV board meetings and other seniormanagement meetings, and guiding the MFI CFOs in preparing their materials for MFI board and other stakeholder meetings.
Support Microfinance Teams to Deliver Growth Strategy
- Support MFI teams to deliver Growth for Impact Strategy, including in respect of reporting, regulatory compliance, and driving finance process improvement initiatives such as digitization of the financial processes and implementation of automated management information systems.
Budget and Planning Process
- Drive the annual budget preparation for BIHBV, BIFBV (in conjunction with the Investment Manager), and, in coordination with MFI CFOs, for the MFIs.
- Provide insight and analysis on the operational performance of microfinance entities to deliver budget targets*.*
Regulatory Compliance
- Ensure compliance with applicable Tax and VAT laws and other statutory obligations and timely submission of organizational taxes to the tax authority, including supporting MFIs in their obligations.
- Maintain a strong working relationship with the internal and external auditors, provide the necessary support to them and ensure all audit issues are addressed to maintain a sound control environment.
Risk Management
- Implementation of financial processes and internal controls for effective management of financial risks of BIHBV entities.
People Development
- Assist the Finance Director, in analysing and meeting the professional development needs and succession planning of the finance team, including, as needed, the MFI finance teams.
Safeguarding
- Establish a safeguarding culture across all level of the programme by implementing the safeguarding policy. Act as a key source of support, guidance and expertise on safeguarding for establishing a safe working environment.
- Responsible to ensure team members are appropriately trained, supported and have access to resources regarding issues that are identified and actioned in accordance with the safeguarding policy and procedure.
- Follow the safeguarding reporting procedure in case any reportable incident takes place, encourage others to do so.
Educational Requirements:
- Bachelor's degree in any business discipline
- Master’s degree in business or strategy will be an added advantage
- Recognised Professional Qualification in Finance or Accounting
Required Competencies:
- Motivated by the mission of the BRAC.
- Ability to work effectively both in groups and independently.
- Demonstrated initiative and creativity when solving problems.
- Ideally, a proven track record of success in managing large complex projects and financial systems in overseas or domestic settings & managing inter-company transactions.
- Ability to perform and prioritize multiple tasks, with a collaborative and flexible style, and a strong service mentality. Needs to be and to be seen as a team player that is committed to lifelong learning.
- Effective communicator, with strong oral and written skills, particularly in English.
- Strong commitment to developing and helping team members.
- Willing to travel both within and outside country.
Experience Requirements:
- 7 to 10 years of experience in a relevant role, for example working within the finance function of a financial institution, including an MFI, or corporate/ commercial organisation, or working within a recognised audit/ accountancy firm.
Employment Type: Contractual
Salary: Negotiable
Job Location: Nairobi, Kenya or The Hague, The Netherlands
How to apply
If you feel you are the right match for the above-mentioned position, please follow the application instructions accordingly:
External candidates need to email their CV with a letter of interest mentioning educational grades, years of experience, why you are interested in a career with BIHBV, what motivates you about BRAC’s mission, current and expected salary at recruitment.bihbv@brac.net
Internal candidates need to apply with their latest CV including all job assignments in detail with BRAC PIN and email to internal.bi@brac.net
Please mention the name of the position and AD# BI 07/23 in the subject bar.
Only complete applications will be accepted and shortlisted candidates will be contacted.
Application deadline: 23 February 2023
BRAC is committed to safeguarding children, young people and adults, and expects all employees and volunteers to share the same commitment. We believe every stakeholder and every member of the communities we work with has the right to be protected from all forms of harm, abuse, neglect, harassment, and exploitation - regardless of age, race, religion, and gender, status as an individual with a disability or ethnic origin. Therefore, our recruitment policy and procedure include extensive background checks and disclosure of criminal records in order to ensure safeguarding to the fullest extent.
BRAC is an equal opportunities employer